5/21/2009 @ 5:40PM

Smelling Opportunity

The PayPal founder is chief executive of this Silicon Valley firm, which sells the pure-electric $101,000 Tesla roadster. It’s now taking orders for a $50,000 sedan due in late 2011.

John Waters / Bright Automotive

Picture Credit: Evan Vucci / AP

The inventor of the battery pack for GM’s first electric car, the EV1, Waters now runs this spinoff from the Rocky Mountain Institute. Its first electric vehicle, the Bright Idea, is a delivery van for government and commercial fleets, debuting in late 2012.

William Santana Li / Carbon Motors

Picture Credit: Courtesy Carbon Motors

This former Ford exec in Atlanta is developing specially designed, clean-diesel police cars, which will be built in the U.S. and go on sale in 2012.

Paul Wilbur / Aptera Motors

Picture Credit: Ike Blake / Reuters / Corbis

This car-industry veteran joined Aptera as chief in 2008 to oversee its rollout later this year of an ultraefficient, two-seater that promises 100 miles on a single electric charge. Cost: $25,000 to $40,000.

John B. Rogers / Local Motors

Picture Credit: Courtesy Local Motors

Forget mass production. Chief Jay Rogers plans 25 to 50 microfactories, each building no more than 2,000 cars, with designs selected from a Web competition. Expect the first car in November.

Kevin Czinger / Miles Electric Vehicles

Picture Credit: Courtesy Miles Electric Vehicles

This California firm sells a low-speed electric car and truck to fleet customers. Its next car, a $45,000 electric sedan built in China, will go on sale in fall 2010.